A Bumpy Road to Power

Chapter 539 539

The next morning.

Just as Dirk Carter was walking into the Municipal Committee Compound, a Bentley car slowly drove in.

It stopped right next to Dirk Carter.

The bodyguard in the front passenger seat hurriedly got out of the car and opened the rear door.

Bennett Kane, wearing a sharp suit, got out with a composed demeanor.

"Oh, Secretary General Carter, what a coincidence."

Seeing Dirk Carter, Bennett Kane raised his eyebrows and said.

Dirk Carter didn't want to engage with him and was about to continue walking when Bennett Kane glanced, prompting the bodyguard to step in front of Dirk Carter, blocking his way.

"Mr. Kane, what do you mean by this?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Bennett Kane smiled and said, "Nothing much, just wanted to chat a bit more with Secretary General Carter."

"Didn't we already have a conversation?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Bennett Kane said with a smug look, "I'm a person who loves making friends. If Secretary General Carter is willing to turn foes into friends, I'm not one to hold grudges. It's been a day, maybe Secretary General Carter has reconsidered?"

"Mr. Kane, rest assured, once I, Dirk Carter, make a decision, I won't go back on it."

This result surprised Bennett Kane.

He was taken aback for a moment.

Then nodded and said, "Alright, if Secretary General Carter is as stubborn as running into a wall, then there's nothing Kane can do. When you come back battered and bruised seeking reconciliation, I might not agree."

Just as he finished speaking.

A voice came from the building's entrance: "Mr. Kane, apologies for not welcoming you from afar, you arrived earlier; why didn't you call to let us know?"

Michael Hall was seen running over, crossing the steps in just a few strides.

He grabbed Bennett Kane's hand, his face almost overflowing with sycophancy.

"Ran into Secretary General Carter, chatted for a bit, forgot to notify Secretary Hall, please don't take offense."

Bennett Kane said with a smile.

Michael Hall cast a disdainful look at Dirk Carter, his face full of disgust, then said to Bennett Kane, "Mr. Kane, please, come inside."

With that.

He made a gesture inviting Bennett Kane.

With his "enthusiasm," Bennett Kane swaggered into the Municipal Committee Building.

Around nine-thirty.

Dirk Carter received a call from Bertrand Levin, the director of the municipal office.

He was notified to arrive at the Standing Committee meeting room around ten o'clock; Secretary Hall was convening a temporary Standing Committee meeting, and his attendance was required.

It seemed.

The reason for this Standing Committee meeting was Bennett Kane's personal visit to the Municipal Committee.

Around nine-fifty.

When Dirk Carter entered the Standing Committee meeting room, most of the members had already arrived. Shortly after he took a seat, Secretary Michael Hall hurriedly came in.

He sat at the head seat with an air of authority.

Rapped his knuckles on the table.

With a stern face, he said, "Meeting start."

The rustling sounds immediately quieted down.

Michael Hall cleared his throat and said, "Today's Standing Committee meeting is about one thing, the incident involving Irving Pace being robbed. I was really shocked when I heard about it. Wade Quincy, you're the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee, why don't you go ahead?"

Wade Quincy nodded.

He said, "Like Secretary Hall, I was quite shocked upon hearing this. This is a tragedy, a great tragedy, and at the same time, it highlights the lack of effort from the Public Security Department in fighting crime over the years. In this regard, the leadership team of the city's police department must conduct a review."

"I agree with Wade Quincy. It's a monstrous joke for the police chief's house to be robbed. This matter must be handled seriously, or it could have unthinkable consequences if it spirals out of control."

Municipal Office Director Bertrand Levin immediately picked up where Wade Quincy left off and said.

Michael Hall nodded slightly.

He asked Wade Quincy, "Wade, now that Irving is injured and hospitalized, leaving the police department leaderless amidst a crime-fighting effort, who do you think is capable of taking the helm at this time?"

Hearing this.

Dirk Carter had already understood about seventy percent of it.

Just as he predicted before.

Causing Irving to get injured.

This way, Bennett Kane could elevate his people to the head of the police department.

Once his person was in control of the police department, with only the discipline commission at Dirk Carter's disposal, it would be impossible for him to "stir the waters."

Wade Quincy pondered for a moment.

He said, "Secretary Hall, I think that Koryn City Police Department's Deputy Director, Head of the Criminal Investigation Division Jamie Ford, can temporarily take on this responsibility. Since the robbery is a criminal case, it's sensible and appropriate for the head of the criminal division to take over temporarily."

As soon as he finished speaking.

Bertrand Levin continued, "Secretary Quincy is right. Since Jamie Ford became the head of the Criminal Investigation Division, the criminal cases in Koryn City have significantly decreased. At this critical juncture, having Jamie Ford preside over the police department will help stabilize public sentiment."

Paving the way.

With the statements from Wade Quincy and Bertrand Levin.

Michael Hall's goals were achieved.

He looked towards Josias Rayburn and asked, "Mayor Josias, what do you think about this matter?"

At this moment, Josias Rayburn had a troubled expression.

He looked up at Dirk Carter briefly before Michael Hall said, "Mayor Josias, this matter is of great importance. I hope you make a careful decision, otherwise many things could become difficult to handle."

With these words, Dirk Carter knew that Josias Rayburn must have been "coerced." Someone must have exerted pressure on him in some way, forcing him to make a choice favorable to Bennett Kane.

He bit his lip, lowered his head, and said in an unwilling tone, "I personally think it appropriate for Jamie Ford to temporarily oversee the police department's work."

This answer left Carly Lambert with a face full of disbelief.

She indignantly said, "Are you serious? Even if Director Irving is temporarily unable to work, it shouldn't be Jamie Ford's turn. The police department has a political commissar and a deputy director; why should Jamie Ford preside over the department's work?"

Faced with such doubt.

Michael Hall had long prepared his response.

He glanced at Wade Quincy.

Wade Quincy calmly said, "Deputy Secretary Carly, special situations require special measures. Since Irving Pace was injured in a robbery, having Jamie Ford temporarily lead the investigation will be beneficial in solving the case. Of course, if Deputy Secretary Carly can solve this case and quickly apprehend the suspect, having you lead the police department would be fine with me too."

"You..."

Carly Lambert was rendered speechless by this remark.

Seeing her in such a sorry state.

Michael Hall smugly cleared his throat, intentionally or unintentionally looking in Dirk Carter's direction, and asked, "Is there anyone else who objects to Jamie Ford temporarily leading the police department's work? If not, then it's decided."

"I disagree!"

Just as he finished speaking.

Dirk Carter leaned back in his chair, speaking in a light, airy tone.

Michael Hall smiled slightly, knowing full well that Dirk Carter wouldn't agree.

He said, "Comrade Dirk, you saw everyone's position just now; no one expressed opposition, so no matter your agreement, this must be decided."

"Is that so? I say I disagree, then it can't be decided."

Dirk Carter said.

Wade Quincy sneered and said, "Secretary General, are you being arrogant? Who do you think you are? Do you think this is your place for a one-man show? Just because you disagree doesn't mean it's undecided; is this Standing Committee the one you run?"

"Indeed, sticking green onions in a pig's nose; what are you pretending for? You think your word counts when everyone else agrees?"

Bertrand Levin also said sarcastically.

Michael Hall was naturally pleased with this result.

He paused and said, "Comrade Dirk, on the Standing Committee, you're entitled to different opinions, but according to the organizational regulation, minority obeys majority. Now that everyone has agreed, perhaps you should just keep your disagreement to yourself."